Serials and Scenarios ~ Fern and Zula Snuck Out Again

Sweet Carrie invited me to hang out at her blog after reviewing Out of the Frying Pan. 

Fern and Zula sat in the hot seats and answered her fun questions. And Carrie upped the laughs by commenting on the ladies' answers.  

Get in on the fun HERE

And Carrie includes the link to the contest...remember the contest???? 

Serials and Scenarios ~ Feedback Part 2

Get a copy here http://amzn.to/2ndM0qv

A follow-up to yesterday. Read it here. http://bit.ly/2q4y1BK  

An author should never enter a debate regarding a review. It's just a bad idea. However. A comment made by a reviewer made me pause a bit. Her review was great and I appreciate it. But her experience is very different than mine. So I am using this next couple paragraphs to give more information about some reasons why our characters are written the way they are. 

A 78 year-old-reviewer said she didn't know anyone who acted like the ladies of Paradise. I am glad for her that she doesn't know the following story. But I have observed a whole different group of folks. Note: Some of the elderly or older church ladies I've known would not fit in with Fern and Zula. However, as with every age, there are extremes on both sides. And a wide road of gray in the middle (pun intended though I prefer to call my gray silver!) The town I live in has a very high population of over 65. We are ranked as one of the best cities for a healthy retirement. So. I have a little bit of knowledge with the over 65 crowd. 

Beaches and a cruise ship are great places to people watch. What I have observed in those locations is that those who are shy and inhibited are that way at any age. I've seen older women buttoned up in seven layers and I've seen others in the exact age group out and about in yoga pants and crop tops. Or doing the back stroke, in a tiny swimsuit in one of the cruise ship swimming pools. I know a 90+ year-old diva-doll who dresses to the nines and possibly gets most of her wardrobe from the junior department...and talk about spicy tongue and attitude.

So. When you are on a beach look around. I promise you will see at least one 65+ man in a speedo and one leather-skinned-sun-goddess in her bikini. Silver hair glistening in the sun. Neither one seems a bit concerned about showing skin. Right next to the 20-somethings in their thong bikinis.

True story.

One elderly lady shared her concern about her Peyton Place retirement village with me. Once, while delivering greeting cards to her neighbors she encountered a naked man. He left the room of a 70-something gal and trucked across the hall in all his glory. Right past her. Not a word. He may have winked but I'm pretty sure she had buried her head in the sand at that point. That religious holiday was ruined for the poor innocent gal.

In my experience here's the bottom line. If grandma was a tiger as a kitten, chances are she still has a purr.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Where I Was...Am...Uhhhh. Where I Visited

So. I wrote up a bit at Novel Rocket. It's all about the basics. The really, really bottom line stuff one needs to write a book. If you are so inclined, head over and check it out. 


http://www.novelrocket.com/2017/04/nearly-everything-i-need-to-write-book.html

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Thwarted Once Again

I always mean well. Really. I plan to do most of the many things I need to do every morning. But I almost always get sidetracked. Today, it's in my critique of my writing partner's newest work in progress. Michelle Griep, lovely gal that she is, often takes me into the past, mostly England, through via her writing. This time it's into a smuggler's lair. Shhh. I don't know that people know she's writing this one. Anyhoo, I've been cavorting with her characters instead of writing blog posts.

The Beagles of course are doing their part making sure to clean up any breakfast dregs and have any itches scratched. Oh, and bark their brains out at the garbage man. No matter how often I remind them that we pay these men to take our garbage every, single week, they are OFFENDED!

Just a reminder and since I was talking about that co-author chick, there is that little book giveaway happening. Don't miss it if you haven't already signed up. Go to the blue Rafflecopter link below and jump through her hoops! Ready? Go! (Oh, and try to be quiet so the beagles don't lose their minds, K?) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Serials and Scenarios ~ An Official Review Post

Blogger Sarah invited Michelle and I to hang out with her twice. Then she mentioned she'd like to read Out of the Frying Pan. I sent her a copy and she posted about us again. Here it is. 

And completely unrelated is my Modern Day Mishap post. 

I really can't share more than the fact that my life is just weird and I find pockets of hysterical laughter in the oddest places sometimes. Like this morning when my daughter tagged me in a video showing a short grandma falling into a crib. I wept laughed. Should I share it here? Okay. 

Serials and Scenarios ~ Meetings of the Minds.

A serious and animated discussion on the themes and hidden meaning/depth in the plotting and characterization in Out of the Frying Pan punctuated the book club agenda. 

The Connor, Owen and GMA book club is very serious about their books and only read a few a year due to the difficulty with print size and understanding the written word for some members.

Out of the Frying Pan was chosen because of the close relationship they have with one of the authors. Now this in and of itself is a problem. They will tread very carefully when formulating the review and the star rating. The authors know this and would expect nothing else from this finely tuned book club of three.

Of course, GMA is invaluable for the wisdom born of life experience. Plus the stories she has read, the woman knows books. Owen and Connor bring the element of newness and unbridled joy when something really clicks in the story line or mechanics of the novels they choose.

Usually this club meets more than once and discusses different elements of the book each time. The first discussion was over the dual genre. Unfortunately, this took over the full agenda but was finally resolved. Owen methodically counted the red herrings used to show the meeting of expectation for the cozy mystery elements. Connor, who enthusiastically wears his heart on his sleeve, is enamored with the equally solid romance aspect. 

GMA once again steered the book club to the common sense middle road where the book could be dually classified because it met the requirements of both. Of note, Out of the Frying Pan is called a romantic cozy mystery because the romance does not follow the formula of romance to the T. After all, the classic is boy meets girl, conflict, feelings, conflict, parting, reconciliation and happily ever after. Connor teared up a bit as he was forced to concede and agree with the decision they must make. Once decided all jumped on board, but bed time was approaching so further discussion was shelved.

Next month they with get together to discuss the hidden themes within the pages. Already suspicious that love and food will be closely connected they are also wondering about the murder and the motives and looking for the deep human condition that can tie the love and murder together. Hopefully the younger members will get good naps in because this could prove to be volatile.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Crickets

This is strange. I don't know what to do with a quiet moment. I currently don't have a blog post to promote except ones I've already posted. Of course the Goodreads giveaway is still open one more day and Fiction, Faith and Fun is still live with a giveaway. And I'll have another guest blog post tomorrow to promote but right now it's all quiet. I haven't checked our sales ranking. Our reviews have remained at 7 on Amazon. Most of them are 5 star. Michelle hasn't unloaded anything to promote. I'm answering questions for a huge interview for The Book Fun Magazine that reaches thousands of book club members. And will have a smattering of other Q & A's and stuff here and there throughout the next few months while we continue to promote our novel. 

But the huge amount of energy and time that has gone into this book launch the past couple of weeks has created a kind of a momentum. So I guess I write without anything to say. Probably we could just call this normal for Scrambled Dregs, because I often seem to not have a point, right? 

How about I just tell you how much I appreciate all any of you have done. If you've encouraged me, read me, traveled through this process with me, or read my book, thank you. And maybe go to Zu-fer because Zula has a story. 

Thanks and I'll see you tomorrow. 

Serials and Scenarios ~ Who Won? Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner...w/o chicken please.

Go to Michelle's Blog to see the winners or the drawing for the autographed copies of Out of the Frying Pan!

And if your name is not on the winner list. Well, here you go!!!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Out of the Frying Pan

by Michelle Griep

Giveaway ends September 30, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Serials and Scenarios ~ Hornswoggle Away!

Get a chance to hornswoggle a copy here and here!!!!